Glad to be Wrong

J and I received a very unexpected invitation Saturday morning while at mom and dad's. The guys were in the middle of the swing build and the girls were watching the kids play. J got a text asking if we wanted to go to the Tech game. Did we?!? yes. We fed, bathed and pajamaed the kids and left them in the care of their Pops and Mopsey and headed for ATL. I heard J say at least 5 times that he expected us to be down 35-0 at half. We weren't. I told J we had better hurry because the highlight might be the players running out onto the field. It wasn't. We had a blast. It was a bit strange to be yelling and cheering and look up to see no one else cheering. Our neighbors were not pleased that we had so much to cheer about. So glad we had a fun date night. If I had to be all alone in a rival crowd, it sure was fun to hold tight to him! What a game to see there!

Another great day

Friday morning, Ben called to say they were going to be at mom and dad's at 4:30. We packed up and went too. We had a blast seeing them. The kids were excited and busy, playful and happy. They rode scooters, colored, built with blocks, played in the tent and tromped around outside. Saturday morning Ben and I were remembering the awesome swing that used to hang from a branch on the huge oak in the backyard. Before you knew it, the men were on a mission to build a swing on an even higher branch. And they did it! It is an amazing swing and we all had a blast swinging around. fun fun day.

ps the pictures are perfect reverse order...

T dinner

We had a delightful thanksgiving day dinner at the farm with J's family. The food was outstanding and the company was delightful as always. H was a bit beyond disaster tired. He almost fell asleep at the dinner table in my lap with his head down on the table with fried chicken in his hand. I helped him put the chicken down and turned him around and held him like a sweet baby and he slept. He woke up when I switched to get my flu shot. That's right a flu shot at the dinner table right next to the desserts. Strange, yes; convenient, super yes. Ek has a great group of girl cousins to play with and tended toward Grace who is several years older but adorable and sweet. We went down to Doug's to see their new puppies, show cows, show hogs, chickens and cat. H and L would not get down, H mistaked the puppy for a lion, but Ek played and played and even let the dogs chase her without crying, I think she may have even been smiling. There is great hope. When we were headed back up their driveway, Ek and Grace were ahead of us just talking and talking, I enjoyed watching them. It is always nice to see our family there. I look forward to Christmas Eve.

Thanksgiving Play

I managed to have 3 (three) thanksgiving dinners without preparing a single dish. I am very thankful for my mother in law who gives me the gift of time to play by loving to cook and feed us. So I took her up on the offer to play, and well, as these pictures show-- color. Susanne picked up a huge roll of butcher paper for me. I rolled it from door to door in my hallway and opened up a new box of crayons. It was fun. H started with a family portrait that had at least 10 people in it. Ek began with a jack in the box that was actually a henry in a box. L was asleep. We ended with lifesize portraits of the three of us, Ek was standing on my head and they gave me a huge nose. It was a nice afternoon. Thankful for the opportunity to play during thanksgiving week.

Wanted: new scooter, preferably pink

Yesterday I backed my car up to a terrible crunch. Ek's pink scooter. bummer. As if I'm not spending enough right now on Christmas. I offered for her to earn a new one. She showed out today, I have a new understanding of her abilites, unfortate for her, very fortunate for me. She pushed the buggie at the store, unloaded groceries, put groceries away, loaded the dishwasher, cleaned trash from the car, and on and on. Capable girl that one is. And dressed to a T while doing them.

Big hoops

Yesterday Hu and Bl came over to play, I sure love it when they unexpectantly show up at our door. Hu had a friend with him, Cl. The boys took off into the yard to play soccer while the girls headed to the trampoline. The boys quickly moved to the basketball court where Hu and H played against Cl. It was a hoot. Hu's friend Cl was so hard on H in a friendly boy competive almost big brother kind of way. H was dribbling and Cl was saying "You're not moving H, drive to the goal, drive to the goal." Several minutes later the boys were proudly bragging of H's progress. H kept a calm happy grin on his face. His cheeks were red and he was playing so hard, asking for passes and taking shots. Cl even was blocking down some of his shots and H kept taking them. I was so impressed with H trying to play ball with two 12 year olds. Way to go H. Oh- the picture- I wanted one so bad but didn't want to embarass anyone, so I ran up to L's room and took it through the window, I know you can't see anything, but I wanted proof.

Warm up break

We warmed up yesterday from our chilly misty bike ride with some hot chocolate. My front tire had been busted and flat for several weeks and now that it was fixed, I had to get out. The kids were so happy to get out and make the trip down the neighborhood. And very happy to warm back up with a little bit of hot chocolate with their marshmellows.

We are so happy to be home together for these several days before thanksgiving. We have mostly played at home, caught up on laundry, tidied the house, colored, snuggled and played outside- soccer, basketball and bikes. It has been so nice.

School kids

I put new pictures in my kitchen counter frame today, the kids school pictures. Amazing- I love all 3 pictures. I think they really are their natural sweet faces. And when I am in the kitchen and they are not sitting at the counter with me, chances are good they are at their school-- so here I can see their sweet faces where they are.

Sweet friends

H and L are such great buddies. Those 2 get to laughing over nothing sometimes, I feel so out of the loop, I think they sometimes just laugh to hear each other laugh. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be in big trouble with those two. They are also very similar. Sometimes L even holds out to see if H likes something before she tries it. L was shopping with me this week when I put marshmellows into the buggie and she said, "oooohhhhh marshmellows, H is going to be so excited!" Love it. And he was. Also he was excited the other day to know m&m's were in the house. He was in my room watching a cartoon, I poured a bag of m&m's into a bowl and he was in the kitchen before the bag was empty, really impressive.

A few more

Here a few more puppy houses from the week. There were at least 3 more in my room and two in the playroom. I love a bit of creative thinking and building. And I love too that H has been cleaning them up too!

Afternoon hoops

I guess this is one way to keep score. The beachball got stuck, so we decided to see if another all could knock it out, it didn't, on and on and a lot of laughs later, he finally told me to get them down. Fun, fun.

Good bye little Hairy

I just flushed Hairy Dawg. the fish. not actually a 'dawg.' I really do feel a tinge of sad. They were so happy to get their fish and now we are down to one. Emma. Emma does seem a bit frantic all alone in the bowl. She has been swimming franticly since HD got ill several days ago. H doesn't know yet, I'm not quite sure how I will break the news. If he could read, he could read this since his nose is about 6 inches away, he wants to play a game. By the way, Ek says she wants a puppy for Christmas. bahahahaha! What in the world? Not happening. I think I'll tell H tomorrow about Hairy. yeah, tomorrow. wwertyhgfdsazx (H's reponse, typed by himse[.,[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[lf)

Thankful

Today was one of those true mommy days. Last night as I was drifting off to sleep my phone rang, my home phone, which does not happen very often. I heard it loud and clear because it was inches from my head. J walked into the bedroom to answer it because it was obvious I was not because it rang several times and as I mentioned it was inches from my head. Out portable is lost, I have a feeling it is flung into a ditch somewhere where it was flung because I left it on the bumper, but I'm just guessing, we have been without it for several weeks now, but like I said, it doesn't ring much. I do miss caller id though. Where was I? Oh yeah, the phone rang, late. It was C, baby J was wheezing and she wanted to know if I could take M, W and K to Bible study while she took J to the doctor. Sure, I'll call you in the morning. I was so asleep I didn't even ask much about J, some friend. So I took M and W to Bible study. J is ok, just needs breathing treatments and is probably in for a lot of them over the next 3 years. sorry C. After arriving at the church, I decide that L probably needs to visit the doctor too. Her everyday runny nose has gotten thicker and yellow (too graphic, sorry). So after school we will be on our way. Sweet C offers for my kids to play while I take L. The moral of the story is it is awfully sad for 2 dear friends to exchange help to only have to take the sick child to the doctor and how amazingly sweet that 2 dear friends can help each other to only have to take the sick child to the doctor. The non-sick kids were so happy to have a play day, us parents are also very happy that they had a happy friend day and that less people were at the doctors office to pick up more germs, and the babies are hoping to feel better tomorrow. I am so thankful for my friends.

Backseat request

Today L and I were in the car riding down the road and we had one of our sweetest conversations yet:

l: Mommy, does daddy have his ipod?

me: yes, daddy has his ipod.

l: do you have you ipod?

me: yes, I have my ipod.

l: mommy, I want to hear a song on you ipod.

me: what song sweetie?

l: Jesus.

So I play "No sweeter name."

About a minute into it she looks at me in the rearview mirror and says: "mommy, Jesus loves me." awwwww.

About another minute later she says, "mommy, Jesus loves you."

Thank you my dear little L for the reminder.

Dance class drama

Taking Ek to and from her dance classes and rehersals is usually a really good time to talk with my girl.Today after her rehersal, she was very upset because 2 of her best friends, C and L, were not getting along and said they would not be friends with each other. Now these 2 have been having trouble for some time, but I don’t quite understand it. Ek was talking so big, "I just don't know how to handle it!" She was upset because they said that they were not going to play together and since she plays with both she thought she would tire over going back and forth tomorrow. We decided the best thing to do was to pray and ask God to help her be a peacemaker to her friends. I never did figure out what tipped them off. But it did seem to make Ek quite disturbed because she said she didn't even know what to say to them, she just walked away. She did say another girl told them to apologize to each other. I do pray the Lord will help them. We've got a long way to go with these girls all together.

Making new

Ek and I had fun making 'new' crayons the other day. We took all our broken crayons, which was over half of what we had, peeled them, put them into muffins tins, baked them a bit and voila! new crayons. They are so fun to color with since you have no idea what color you will get. Fun fun project and time with my colorful gir.

Too quiet on my blog

Where have I been?!? Let me see... Friday night dinner and lots of playing, Saturday hmmmm hanging around the house, J on call, lunch out, jewelry party, home, another holiday shopping party, kids to bed, sleep, dawgs win, Sunday bike trainer, church, nursery, kids zone, lunch, home for 45 minutes, dance rehersal, Kroger, leadership meeting, choir, dance rehersal, dinner at DQ, kids to bed. I told J that I have not adjusted to the time change. He told me it was in my head. Then why am I wanting to be asleep every night at 9 and awake at 6? By the way, as I type, he is asleep on my shoulder.

Construction zone

My mom raised me right. She taught me to always make my bed. She mostly made it for me, but taught me to enjoy having a made bed. I have a really hard time walking past my bed unmade, except if I think a sleepy child may get in it while I get ready for the day. But commonly (like sometimes everyday) here for the last several months, I come in to find this.

And think, now wait a min... until I see this.

a puppy in his newly built home. What more can I say?

Admiring a friend

Last night we went to the annual Antique Fair here to get a piece of delicious cake, and hopefully see friends. The cake was amazing. But that is not what this is about. H was so excited to see his dear friend W. I love what they did when they saw each other. The took each other by the hand and immediately went to the booth where their dear J's portrait was on display. The portrait could not be more beautiful, it is stunning. H and W stood, hand and hand and studied it for several minutes. J has a car in his hand and his dog in the background. I told the artist that these were J's best friends, and she was so pleased to see his friends enjoying it. I was too.

Thanksgiving Tree

Last Friday I searched and searched my brain for a fun place to go do something. I knew my crew was tired and needed something fun to get us to suppertime. I couldn't come up with fun place to go, but I did come up with a fun thing to do. We made a thanksgiving tree. We made a trunk and branches and filled it with all kinds of leaves. We went outside and collected leaves, pine straw, pine cones and acorns, probably a few bugs as well. Then we made leaves out of paper and wrote on them things we were thankful for. Ek's first leaf was for Jesus, she even drew a cross. H went through the family line up first; after the family, his first was Pop's boat. L's first was for "my daddy." It was fun and beautiful. Beautiful leaves from outside and in.

A Friday Parade

I do love a good parade. They were even throwing pretend candy which looked a lot like H's whiffle balls! I really appreciate that they let L lead, they were basically just following her around, which was sooo sweet. I like 'em.

Finally Farm Day

Last Friday I was so blessed to accompany my dear H on his first field trip. So exciting. Yes it was the one that had been postponed twice. We were ready. He was so excited to get on that school bus! They have all been gazing at it wondering when it would finally be their day. I love the look on H's face as he boarded. We snuggled in and put on our imaginary seat belt, which did not hold him too well. He sat on the edge of his seat with his little nose an inch away from the window and studied out route like he hadn't been down those roads everyday for 2+ years. We went to a farm very near by that was beautiful. so beautiful. They had goats, sheep, ponies and horses in the fields. There are not many pictures of those moments because the farmer put 2 goats on leashes and let the boys and girls take them around to see the ponies and horses. H did not trust his friends too much, or the goats for that matter, and stayed glued to me- at times in my arms- with is eyes glued on those goats. I was a bit sad he wasn't enjoying his day at the farm too much. Then we went into the barn and visited the lamas, another pony and a donkey. He started warming up. Then we went out behind the barn where she had bunnies and all kinds of birds, and her farm dog was on a leash back there too. He fed the bunnies and several birds and had a great time. He even petted a bunny and almost got the courage to pet the goat. It was so interesting to see all of her exotic birds, I didn't get to hear much about them because H was so busy enjoying them, which I was so happy about. She gave them all a feather that the birds had shed, H got 2 polka dot ones, one for himself and one for Ek. It was truly a delightful field trip. I wish we could go back again this Friday, Ek asked if we could go that afternoon!

Nutcracker update

Ek is still thrilled with the Nutcracker. She can't wait to get there and usually asks to stay and watch some more. Yesterday I accidentally took her to rehearsal 30 minutes early. Before I realized it, I took her to the stage door and went to give her a hug and kiss, when suddenly she heard music and squealed, "party scene!" and reached for the door. She was so excited to get inside and hear watch the scene. When I realized I took her so early, I tiptoed in there and she was sitting on the second row with her eyes glued to the stage. She didn't really even turn her head to me while I asked her if she was ok to wait 30 minutes until her turn. She didn't mind at all. She has been trying also to convince me and J that we could be in the party scene. Love that. And H is still trying to work his way in as well. Another thing I have enjoyed hearing about is that they use drum sticks as their stand-in prop for their swords in the battle scene and as their flower in the sweet scene. I'm sure they won't confuse them on the show nights. I have had fun doing more alterations this year, so far I have hemmed sleeves on several things, including Fritz's jacket, taken out several seems and hemmed several lengths. I hope that doesn't make me watch it with too critical of an eye at the costumes, at my alterations that is.

Remember to Remember

Last week at Bible study, the Lord confirmed me in keeping this blog. Our speaker really encouraged us to keep a journal of remembrance that we might not forget what God has done in our lives. And although this is largely about my kids growing up, I do not want to forget his work in their lives as well. So after the talk is over, my friend Kathy turned to me. She had a very dramatic dealing with cancer that proved wonderfully successful. She was diagnosed with terminal, inoperatable, and devestating cancer 2 years ago that turned out to be none of those things. She believes with all her heart that God has healed her because he still has purposes for her life. So she turns to me last week in tears and asks me if I remember coming to her house and praying for her that day. Of course I did. She asked me if I remember what she was feeling that day. "Was I fearful?," she said with tears just running down her face. I told her I was, but I didn't remember what she was feeling. She told me she wanted to know so bad because she was just having the hardest time remembering. Now that the trail is over, the details are fuzzy. I told her I would look back at my blog and see what I wrote.

So I emailed her this...Kathy, Wow was I glad God sat us next to each other today. I feel such a connection to you and am always just so grateful to see you and hear your heart. I wish that I remembered more of our prayer time that day,this is what I wrote about it. So grateful the Lord helped me to remember that day as I wrote. Love you Kathy, I pray for you as you prepare and pray for Saturday night that as you said you will be able to speak truth to hearts going through all kinds of things. Can't wait to hear what the Lord says with you.

k

and had the link to my blog entry which was this...

Blessing

I had the amazing blessing today of praying for a friend who is battling Cancer. She was told about 12 months ago that she had 6-12 months to live and believes God is sustaining her. She has a rare form of CA and is undergoing treatments in Maryland every several weeks. She is married and has 2 girls. I really don't know her well, I had just run into her around town several times in our time here in Dublin and just always loved seeing her. She is full of joy and peace. I was so shocked last year to know she was sick and have just prayed for her since.

God laid on my heart several weeks ago to call her and, although I put her on my to do list, I didn't call. Last week I felt that to not call was disobedience. I called her last week and scheduled to go see her this morning. This morning early God dropped Mark 5 into my lap. I was so grateful. The story was of the woman who had been bleeding and touched Jesus' cloak and was healed. I'm sorry that needs an exclamation point... and she was healed!!!!! Oh the power of our Savior! Our Creator and Redeemer is mighty to save. Mighty to save us from sin, from sickness and the power of death. She and I read the passage aloud and went to our Father who we know loves us and asked him for healing, for peace, for joy, for truth, for faith, for opportunities, for healing again. We prayed until we didn't want to stop. And we won't. Oh I'm so grateful to be His. And I can't wait to see what will happen in sweet Kathy's life. Oh the victory for Jesus that is being won. Oh the glory that has come to the Father through her life. Life in Jesus is sweet.

And then she replied this...Katharine, Thank you so much for being so faithful! First, for taking the time to research our prayer date, and then for being faithful that day in prayer. How exciting to remember that God had given you a healing scripture over my life one year ago. And now, to see God's faithfulness in responding to that prayer one year later. I have tears of joy streaming down my face, a heart full of thankfulness, and glorified goosebumps! How awesome that Priscilla Shirer spoke specifically today on the importance of keeping a journal to remember God's blessings in our life. And then, as if to nudge the fact home, God sat me beside you and allowed us to recall a moment that you yourself had journaled about one year ago. I see his hand moving today and I love it. It is just another little $500 story I can add to my collection about God manifesting himself to me in such a real way, reminding me "Kathy, I am always at work; with your best interest in mind, and one day, when the time is right, I will reveal to you what that is; but today, I just want you to trust me!" I think I see a little story I can use for my testimony this weekend :).

Thank you so much!
You are a precious friend!
Love, Kathy

She gave her testimony Saturday night and sang with her trio at a women's dinner. She spoke with such confidence in the Lord and such joy to live her life for him. The first song they sang had reference to the woman who reached out and touched Jesus's cloak. She looked me straight in the eye as she sang that song that they sang even before she was sick. What a blessing to see and remember how God works in our lives.

Playground developments

I was quite surprised to hear the playground report yesterday. I kinda expected to hear it from Ek in Kindergarten that boys were chasing her, I mean, she is adorable. And H is too. But yesterday it began. "Carly" was chasing he and his gang because she wanted to catch them and take them home with her and put lipstick on them. Gracious. I told H to run fast. He also reported that his buddy W has a 'girlfriend' in K5, H did not know her name. I admit I am surprised by these developments.

Sweet words

Some encouraging words from my kids- youngest to oldest...

Sweet L's nose was crazy runny today. She sneezed and sneezed all day. One time I told her 'bless you,' and she said with her huge teethy grin 'bless you too mommy.' Then she said 'bless me again mommy,' so I did and she said 'bless you too mommy!' Oh she makes me happy!

H has not given us much wonder as to his love language here lately. Last night the last thing he said and I think he may have been asleep was 'Mommy, will you play baseball and football and basketball and soccer with me tomorrow after school?' I'll be there H!

Last year for mother's day, Ek brought home a Cd from school that had Stephen Curtis Chapman's song that he wrote for his wife to encourage her of her worth as a mother. Ek loves that song. She requests it alot. Tonight as we were singing it, I was thinking how wonderful it is that she loves to encourage me with this song when she piped up to say it always reminds her of her teacher last year. Wait. a. minute. I asked her if it reminded me of her too. Her response was 'nope, just my teacher, I see you everyday, I don't need to be reminded of you!' okeydookey. I am so thankful that she loved her teacher and is grateful for the time she taught her. It is a good indication that she is safe and loved at her school. And I am grateful to hear the song, it encourages me. But tonight as I was getting her ready for bed, she said she hoped she was just like me one day, a mommy. I told her I hoped she had a little girl as sweet as I do. And as we tucked her in, she said we, j and i, were the best mommy and daddy ever. I'll receive that encouragement.

Maize Maze

I had been anxiously awaiting mom and dad to come go with to a corn maze that a family we know made very near our house. I thought it would be better to go with a better parent- child ratio, in other words-- not out numbered! And i wanted them go go with us because I knew it would be more fun with them along! So Saturday we finally found a minute to all go together. I think I was probably most excited, I love to be outside, active and with my family. The kids really loved the big box of dried corn, strange but true. They pushed it around, let dad bury their legs and H filled a bottle with it. There was also a small maze that they really liked wandering around in. Then we were off to the big maze. The kids started out zealous, also known as-- running. The enjoyed finding the markers along the way. Ek enjoyed finding ears of corn that she wanted to take to school to show her friends. I definitely think the maze was a bit like life, tiring at times, very encouraging to see markers that tell you that you are on the right path, and definitely more fun with people you love to walk along with.